Brownie Girl Scout Handbook

by Girl Scouts of the USA

Describes the history and programs of the Girl Scouts and presents year-round activities for Brownies.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

144 pages, Spiral-bound

First published November 1, 1965

Reviews

[Sara]

Such fun! I read this a kid. As a Brownie, and then as a Girl Scout.

[Nd]

The version of this that I read is from 1959 -- before ISBNs and near the time I would have been a Brownie. Found it at the library book sale & couldn't resist. It's still as well-intentioned and helpful as ever (if a bit sexist for today). Came across a poem I'd forgotten but absolutely love:
A book, I think, is very like
A little golden door.
That takes me into places
Where I've never been before.
It leads me into fairlyland
Or countries strange and far,
And best of all, the golden door
Always stands ajar.
Adelaide Love

[Stef]

I’d hoped this book included badge info, but it did not. It’s a very, very basic for being a decent human.

[Robyn]

This is a cool piece of history - picked it up at a secondhand store in the mountains a few years back at the Georgetown Christmas Market. Three stars for that.

Read it today and realized how much the world has changed — for the betterment of women and scouts — since this was published in 1951. I’m thankful for the emphasis in GsUSA on creating safe spaces for girls to learn leadership and develop a deep civic commitment.

Nerdy researcher comment - it would be fun to do a historical content analysis of the values advanced in the many versions of the handbooks and how many “models” of scouts have been followed over the years. This book has only three levels of scouts - brownie, intermediate, and senior - with many activities focused on preparing women to be wives and manage households.

[jacky]

I read some of this book, but it was an older edition.

[Denise]

A fun look into the past world of Brownie Scouts.

[Penny]

Nostalgic look at my years as a Brownie. Cover price for this 95-page hardback was 50 cents!